Watercolor Folded Paper Angel Ornament
A special holiday ornament for the kids to create inspired by “It’s a Wonderful Life”.
Materials:
1 sheet 8-1/2” x 11” white copy paper
Watercolors (or colorant of your choice)
Brush (to apply paint)
Water
Wooden bead (head)
24” cotton lace yarn (or thin twine)
Glue (Tacky, hot glue or glue tape runner)
Scissors
Wooden embellishment (optional)
Ruler (optional)
Toothpick (optional)
Clothespin or small clamp (optional)
Paint watercolors on one side of paper. For best pattern result on finished angel, start painting across center of paper (see pink in example above). Next, paint lines of color (orange) above and below pink. Finish painting with 3rd color (aqua) above and below orange.
NOTE: Remember that these colors are for example only as you can use colors of your choice. When you repeat the color painting pattern in the example, you will have matching arm and skirt color placement. (see photo for examples).
DESIGNER HINT: Before next step, let paint dry COMPLETELY as you want to be able to fold crisp lines on the dry paper.
Fold in half along 11” side of paper keeping painted side out. Fold in half again and again until the paper is 1/2” wide x 11”.
Gently open paper completely flat. Using the fold lines as a guide, start at one edge to re-fold paper along fold lines back and forth in a fan pattern to create the correct folding pattern. Use your finger to gently press to crease each fold line.
Cut paper in half at the center creating two matching pieces (each 5-1/2” long). You should note that due to the paint pattern, you will now have two matching pieces.
Measuring approximately 2” from top edge, gently fold over each piece to create arms
Fold yarn and tie in triple knot approximately 2” from loop.
Add bead to yarn.
Tie another triple knot directly below bead. These knots will hold the bead (head) in place on the yarn.
Apply glue to inside from fold to bottom of dress.
Place bottom of head knot at fold and place thread into glue.
Glue two folded pieces together with yarn in between.
If desired, use clothespin or small clamp to hold together at neckline for a few minutes while glue dries.
While glue is drying, use scissors to even the bottom edge and cut off excess yarn.
Remove clamp and apply glue to underside of arms.
Press glued edge onto side of dress. Repeat with other side.
Use clamp again to hold in place for a few minutes for glue to hold. Remove clamp.
Gently open and arrange all folds. If desired, glue embellishment in place on front of angel.